Rumor: Gagner and Omark Available

I’ve heard from two different people today that the Oilers are shopping Sam Gagner and Linus Omark in an effort to acquire a Top 4 puck-moving defenseman. In respect to both players, they are being made available because of the depth the Oilers have, and the team’s need to get bigger up front.

Specific to Gagner, Nugent-Hopkins looks like the long-term #1 center, Shawn Horcoff will play in the #2 role because his contract is impossible to move, Eric Belanger is needed in the #3 role for face-offs and penalty killing, and Anton Lander, who looks like the future #2 center, fits well for now as a 4th line center who can do a bit of everything. After last season’s defensive troubles, Oilers management are being extra careful to ensure the roster features players who can play two-way minutes. Gagner’s got offensive skill, but he’s not so good at face-offs or defensive play. I don’t think the Oilers can have their #1 and #2 centers both be bad in the face-off circle (while Nuge is pretty smart defensively, he’s terrible on the dot right now).

Linus Omark is already in the coach’s dog box for his play against the Penguins. However, his availability in a deal might more be a product of what Ales Hemsky showed playing with Nugent-Hopkins. If Hemsky is healthy and productive, he might just get a long-term deal and might just stick around for the next five years. With Eberle being a lock as the team’s other Top 6 RW, Omark becomes a square peg in a round hole for the third line. Perhaps the Oilers are thinking Teemu Hartikainen is a better long term fit because of his size and work ethic? I’d think so.

5 Responses to Rumor: Gagner and Omark Available

Sam Gagner is 22 years old, has finished a full 4 NHL seasons and has put up over 40 points in each of his 4 seasons. Point totals are: 49, 41, 41, 42. And this is playing with inconsistent, young linemates. I think a player with his skillset could find a home with a couple of capable, more veteran players, develop some chemistry and turn into a consistent 50+ point 2nd line center.

I'm not sure that he fits in well with Toronto having Grabovski, Lombardi, and Bozak (and maybe sometimes Connolly), so I'm not sure if I buy the whole Gagner to Toronto thing.

Omark has got some skill, but I don't know much about him except that he does unnecessary circles at center before taking slap shots in the shoot out. Not really interested in this guy at all, I don't think he's going to turn into anything special.

As a sens fan and/or if I was the sens management I wouldnt trade any of them for Gagner.Gagner is a decent center with good offensive skills but small and IMO more of a second line center.We have Spezza as first line center and Zibanedad as second now or near future.Zibenedad is much more physical and brings more of what the sens need.We are rebuilding so makes no sense of trading younger guys for older ones.